Estate Planning and Probate
Our attorneys offer broad assistance in the area of estate planning and in the preparation of wills and many types of trusts. For example, we can assist you with "simple" or detailed wills, codicils (amendments to existing wills), "special needs" trusts, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, pet trusts, "family vacation home" trusts, life insurance trusts, and amendments to existing trusts. We are also experienced with setting up limited liability companies to manage family assets. We can analyze the mechanics and impact of Washington State and Federal estate taxes (a.k.a. "death taxes") and gift taxes on your situation. After meeting with you, we will suggest solutions tailored to your estate planning needs.
We also prepare:
- Durable powers of attorney for financial purposes;
- Durable powers of attorney for health care purposes; and
- Health care directives (a.k.a. "living wills").
At times, a Court proceeding is necessary to amend or modify existing trusts. We are experienced with this Court process.
We are also available to assist clients with guardianship proceedings, adjudications of testacy, and other related proceedings.
Regarding probate, our lawyers have assisted numerous families and surviving spouses with the probate process in San Juan County Superior court. It is our aim to make this emotionally difficult task as smooth as possible while keeping the cost of the process to a minimum.
The probate process is governed by Washington's statutes regarding probate law. It is our belief that most probates conducted in the San Juan County Superior Court are relatively speedy, simple, and inexpensive, compared to probates conducted in many other states.
Our attorneys have also worked with lawyers in other states to conduct ancillary probates of estate assets in other states, and acted as co-counsel in Washington State ancillary probate proceedings.